Evolution of American Perceptions on Japan: Through Films
Celebrating over 70 years of friendship between Japan and the United States
As an official program of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA invites you to celebrate more than 70 years of friendship between the United States and Japan with a clip reel viewing, panel discussion and audience Q&A looking at films that portray Japan and Japanese people.
The event will feature a clip reel screening of American movies about Japan ranging from the faraway and mysterious Japan of 100 years ago through the wartime enemy to the strong ally of today. An esteemed panel of film critics and Japan experts will then discuss the progression of U.S.-Japan relations over the years through these films.
Lunch will be served. Seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
11:30-11:50PM Registration & Lunch
11:50-12:00PM Welcome Remarks
Admiral Dennis C. Blair (USN, ret.), Chairman and CEO, Sasakawa USA
12:00-13:00PM Keynote Speech
Masanori “Mashi” Murakami, Former Major League Baseball Player for the San Francisco Giants (first Japanese player to play for MLB)
Introduction of Documentary Film: Diamond Diplomacy
Yuriko Gamo Romer, Director/Producer, Diamond Diplomacy
13:00-14:15PM Clip Reel Viewing & Panel Discussion
Moderator
Frederick H. Katayama, Anchor and Producer, Reuters
Panelists
Jeffrey Lyons, Emmy Award-Winning Movie Critic
Yoko Narahashi, Casting Director and Producer for The Last Samurai, Memoirs of a Geisha and Emperor
Dr. Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
14:15-14:30PM Audience Q&A